Automatic cut-off for oil-tanks



(No Model.)

N. GUYER, J. P. KELLY 8v A. KISSELL. AUTOMATIC GUT OTP TOR QTL TANKS No. 808,985. Patented May '10, 1898.

Il Y

l llNTTnn y STATES PATENT Thron.

NELSON GUYER, JOI-INP. KELLY, AND AARON KISSELL, OF OYGNET, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF FOR OIL-F-TAN'KS.

SPECIFIGATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,985, dated May 10, 1898. Application led June 26, 1897. Serial No. 642,494. iNo model.)

oil-tanks, and more especially to providing a device therefor by which the valve in the discharge-pipe is automatically cut off when the oil in the tanklreaches a certain level.

In the process-.ofhandling petroleum-oil it is customary todischarge the tanks in which it is stored bya pipe-line extending to a station, where itA is .run into tanks or shippingeases for transportation, the oil being drawn by a suction-pump at the station, and as the suction-pump is connected to a number of storage-tanksthe emptying of one below the inlet end of the discharge-pipe will causev the station-pumpto take air, and consequently stop the delivery from the other storage-tanks. Usually there lis no one at the storage-tanks to manipulate the valves in the dischargepipes at the proper time, for the gager, after measuring the' tank and turning the valve, leaves and does not return until the tank is entirely emptied, thus permitting of theac-I cident herein related. Our invention eectually provides against the oil in the tank being discharged below theoutlet-pipe, and for this purpose the parts are arranged to automatically operate the valve when a predetermined level has been reached.

The invention consists in' the particular construction andcornbination of the parts, providing a simple and effective apparatus for closing the discharge-pipe when the oil in the tank reaches a certain level.

In the following specification we have entered into a detail description of our invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to numerals thereon, which Y indesignate the different parts, and what we `which are connected by a bolt 8.

consider to be the novel features of construction are specifically set forth in the appended lclaims'.

In the drawings forming part of this specication, Figure lis an elevation showing the applicationof our invention, a storage-tank being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view through the tripping device for the operating-weight. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the weight. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the lever which is connected to the valveplug in the discharge-pipe.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein -like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views, 1 designates the storage-tank, which is constructed in the usual manner, ordinarily of wooden staves with iron bands, and into this tank extends a discharge pipe or nipple 2, which connects with the pipe-line 3, leading to the `pump at the station or point from'whieh the oil is shipped. At the outer end of the, nipple 2 is a valve 4:, which regulates the discharge'of oil from the tank, said valve having the usual plug 5, the outer end of which is squared to receive the key or turning-handle G.

In` carrying out our invention the turninghandle 6 is bifurcated at its free end, presenting parallel members 7 7, the outer ends of Through the bifurcated end of the lever extends a guide-rod 9,' which is bolted at its upper end to a bracket lO, having a base or cross-piece ll, with a depending spurl2. At theside of the bracket opposite that to which the guiderod 9 is secured is bolted a second guide-rod lfwhichdepends vertically when the bracket is in position, and in applying the bracket it rests upon the upper edge of the tank and is held thereon by driving the spurinto one of the staves. In position the guide-rod 13 depends vertically Within the tank, while the guiderod 9 extends parallel with the inclinedside i v intended that the said weight should be sufficient to operate the handle and close the valve when it is released. When the parts are arranged for operation, this Weight is supported in connection with the bracket by engaging the slot therein, and in order to trip the operating-weight at the proper time a iioat 18 is loosely mounted upon the guide-rod 13 and has a vertical opening 19 through the same for the passage of a chain 20, the upper end of which is connected to a trip-lever 21, pivoted within a slot 22 therefor in the bracket, the other end of the lever bearing against the upper end of the weight. The chain 2O has adj ustably connected thereto a ring 23,which is sovpositioned with respect to the ioat and discharge-pipe that when the former engages the ring it will trip the lever 21, releasing the weight, which falls upon the handle of the Valve and operates the same to cut off the discharge-pipe.

From the foregoing description, in connectien with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of our improved automatic cut-off for storage-tanks will be readily understood, and it will be apparent eration of the same would be effected when the oil reaches a certain level within the tank, and in order to prevent the oil descending below the level of the discharge-pipe the ring 23 is properly located to trip the lever when the level of the oil is immediately above the inlet end of the discharge-pipe. This device will effectually prevent the uncovering of the discharge-pipe and will hold the valve closed until the device is ready to be again set. By the use of this automatic valve-closer the tank will not need attention after the valve has been opened to discharge the oi'l in the tank, and it will prevent an accident should the tank be neglected during the operation of discharging the same.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim as new, and desire to secure by Lettersy Patent, is-

1. In an automatic cut-off for storage-tanks, the combination with a Weight and a valve adapted to be operated by the falling of the Weight, of means for holding the weight in elevated position, a oat within the tank, and means operated by the float to release the weight,v substantially as set forth.

Y 2. In an automatic cut-olf for storage-tanks, the combination with the valve in the discharge-pipe, of a handle connected to the valve, a float located within the tank, a Weight adapted to strike the handle of the valve, and means operated by the float to release the Weight, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an automatic cut-olf for storage-tanks,

the combination -with the valve in the discharge-pipe having a handle, of a float located within the tank, a trip-lever connected to the float, and a weight supported by the bracket and adapted to be struck by the trip-lever,

substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

4. In an automatic cut-off for storage-tanks, the combination with the valve in the discharge-pipe and handle for operating the same, of a bracket or frame and weight supported thereby, a trip-lever engaging the weight, and afloat within the tank connected to the trip-lever, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an automatic cut-off for storage-tanks, the combination with the valve in the discharge-pipe and handle connected to the valve, of a bracket supported upon the tank and having guidelrods, a Weight mounted upon one of the guide-rods and having a lug engaging the shoulder formed by the lower end of the slot in the bracket, a trip-lever mounted within the bracket to engage the weight, and a float sliding upon the other guide-rod and connected to the trip-lever, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth. that by employing this device a positive op- 6. In an automatic cut-off for storage-tanks, the combination with the valve in the discharge pipe and handle connected to the l valve, of a bracket secured to the upper end f` of the tank and having depending guidel rods, a weightmou-nted upon one of the guiderods to strike the handle of the valve, said weight having a lug which engages the bracket, a trip-lever adapted to release the weight, a float located Within the tank upon the other guide-rod, and a chain connected to the triplever and operated by the iioat, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an automatic cut-olf for storage-tanks, the combination with the valve in the dischargepipe and handle connected to the valve, of a bracket supported upon the tank and having guide rods,l a sliding weight mounted upon one of the guide-rods and provided With a lug which engages the bracket,

the handle of the valve projectingwithin the path of the weight, a trip-lever pivoted within the bracket and adapted to release the weight together with a float located within the tank upon the other guide-rod, said float having a vertical openingV through the same, a chain extending from the trip-lever through the openin gin the float, and a ring adj ustably connected to the chain, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an automatic cut-olf for storage-tanks, the combination with the discharge-pipe and valve, of a handle connected to the plug of the valve and' having a bifurcated end, a bracket supported upon the tank and having IOO IIO

a guide-rod which depends Within the bifurspeeieation in the presence Of two subsorib- Io cated end of the handle, a Weight sliding upon ing Witnesses. the guide-rod and having a lug which engages the bracket, a trip-lever pivoted Within the 5 bracket and adapted to release the Weight,

and a ioat mounted Within the tank and eonnected to the trip -lever, substantially as Witnesses: shown and for the purpose set forth. J. O. BURKHART,

In testimony whereof We have signed this H. FENBERG.

NELSON GUYER. JOHN P. KELLY. AARON -KIssELL` 

